Merck Cuts Jobs at NJ Facility Amid $3B Cost-Cutting Plan
Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. is cutting jobs at its New Jersey facility as part of a broader cost-cutting plan announced in 2025. The company will reduce headcount by 54 roles in two phases, with the first reduction happening on December 11, 2026, and the second on January 4, 2027. This latest round of layoffs is in addition to an earlier announcement in June that affected 88 jobs at the same location.
The cuts are part of Merck's initiative to cut costs from 'lower growth areas' by about $3 billion and reinvest that total in 'higher potential areas' by 2027. The company aims to use technology to boost productivity and streamline operations, according to its Q2 2025 earnings call.
Merck executives have stated that the cost-cutting measure will result in savings of around $3 billion, which will be reinvested in areas with higher potential for growth. This move is part of a larger effort by Merck to adapt to changing market conditions and stay competitive in the pharmaceutical industry.